We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
We’ve learned that Jabra plans to replace the Enhance Select 200 with a newer model in December. You can read more details in What to look forward to. China Swing Basket Chair Product
We also tested 11 new OTC hearing aids and added two models, from Eargo and Sony, to Other good hearing-augmentation devices.
For people with mild to moderate hearing loss, over-the-counter hearing aids could be a more affordable and accessible alternative to a prescription pair.
This new and growing category of hearing devices relies on telehealth visits, online- and app-based hearing tests, and advanced earbud tech to give you direct access to a hearing-augmentation device that’s tailored to your needs, often with lower costs and less of the hassle associated with professionally fit hearing aids. But wading through all the styles, confusing names, and legal limitations can make finding the right pair feel overwhelming.
OTC hearing aids are for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. Children and people with profound hearing loss should see a medical professional.
No single over-the-counter hearing device is perfect for everyone, so we offer different recommendations for different priorities.
Situational sound modes let you change what sounds get amplified in different environments, which means better clarity.
Your brain needs to adapt to the sound of hearing aids. A generous return policy gives you more time to acclimate.
That’s why we spent over two years researching this subject and conducted two rounds of independent testing of hearing-augmentation devices that you can buy and adjust from home. These devices range from basic, inexpensive personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) to highly configurable hearing aids sold (at four-figure prices) directly through health-care sites.
We know that hearing aids are never a one-size-fits-all deal, so we focused on finding options for different priorities, preferences, and budgets. We hope this guide will help you feel more informed and empowered, regardless of which device you choose.
As the name suggests, over-the-counter hearing aids generally encompass hearing aids that are sold directly via manufacturer and health-care websites and can be set up, tuned, and adjusted by the wearer (that is, no in-person doctor or audiologist visits required). They are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Other devices, often called PSAPs or “hearables,” are less sophisticated hearing-augmentation options—they have less precise tuning abilities, and the amount of gain (how much they can amplify sounds) is limited by law.
Your personal hearing needs will dictate which kind of device is right for you.
Traditional hearing aids can be expensive and inconvenient. But lower-priced, over-the-counter hearing aids are coming soon.
I’m a headphones expert with decades of audio-reviewing experience who has covered hearing health and protection for the past five years. In earning my bachelor of music degree from Ithaca College, I studied psychoacoustics, the physics of sound, anatomy, and physiology, in combination with audio production.
I spent two years researching hearing aids before we tested a single hearing device for this guide. I read dozens of scientific studies and medical classification laws, and I researched ANSI+CTA PSAP and hearing-aid performance-target standards. I met with manufacturers of hearing aids and hearables, and I conducted a lot of interviews, which we’ve detailed in the Sources section.
We also gathered input directly from members of the hearing-loss community by conducting an in-depth survey of members of the Hearing Loss Association of America, a nonprofit advocacy group. The survey elicited nearly 500 responses, and we read them all. Through the participants’ generous insights, we learned which hearing-aid features are critical or unnecessary, which aspects of hearing-aid use are most challenging, and what the community hopes to see in future hearing-augmentation devices.
Lastly, for each round of testing, we assembled a panel that included four people of various ages, with varying degrees of hearing loss and dexterity and with varying amounts of hearing-aid experience. See How we tested for more specifics on our panel.
Hearing aids have come a long way. We heard that phrase a lot—from hearing-loss-community advocates, audiologists, hearing-technology experts, and our test panelists. Thanks to a combination of technological advancement, increased demand, and legislation, entry-level-priced devices available now are as good as or better than most expensive hearing aids from five or six years ago. If you’ve tried hearing aids in the past and gotten less-than-successful results, don’t automatically judge today’s devices by the one collecting dust in your drawer.
First, get checked out by a medical doctor. If you have never considered or tried hearing aids, you first need to make sure you’re a good candidate for them. A medical doctor can rule out factors such as earwax buildup or other medical conditions. If you experience sudden hearing loss, it’s essential that you get a proper medical evaluation before you seek out hearing aids, since this could be a sign of another condition.
A hearing test at an audiology office is the gold standard, but you can also ask your doctor for a hearing test during your annual physical. And you can find many online- or app-based screening tests that will give you a basic idea of your hearing abilities. Should you choose to go to an audiologist, you can ask for a copy of your audiogram, which is a chart that details your hearing ability in a range of frequencies. Much like a glasses prescription details your eyes’ magnification needs, an audiogram can serve to customize the amplification levels on many hearing devices.
Check your hearing regularly. This is important because, unfortunately, many people who need hearing assistance don’t realize it right away. The human brain is remarkably adept at adjusting to progressive hearing loss, said Angela Shoup, past president of the American Academy of Audiology. As hearing ability and sound input reduce over time, the brain’s pathways change. This means people are bad at judging their own hearing ability; this is valuable to consider because your level of hearing loss will influence which type of hearing-augmentation device will work best for you.
Hearing aids have come a long way. If you’ve tried hearing aids in the past and gotten less-than-successful results, don’t automatically judge today’s devices by the one collecting dust in your drawer.
For example, one of our panelists discovered during our first round of testing that his hearing loss had progressed from moderate to severe. As a result, the majority of the devices he tested for us weren’t capable of meeting his needs. However, once he discovered his new requirements, he was able to get matched with a prescription hearing aid that has made him very happy.
Fitting takes time, so lengthy return windows are crucial. Another reason many folks give up on hearing aids is the fitting experience. In the hearing-aid world, “fitting” isn’t just about the size and shape of your ear. It’s about making sure the device is amplifying the correct frequencies to the correct amount in order to match your specific hearing profile. Because the brain is so good at adapting to hearing loss over time, the experience of suddenly amplifying the lost frequency ranges can be especially jarring. Shoup likened the process to “stepping into the sunshine after being in the dark a long time.” She continued, “Except in the case of hearing, the adjustment can take weeks or months rather than minutes.”
This is why it’s so important for manufacturers to offer a generous return window for hearing aids. Eventually, your brain will adapt to hearing louder sounds, but it takes time. If you’ve ever moved to a new home and spent the first few days waking up to every passing garbage truck or door slamming, you’ve seen this sort of adaptation in action. Over time, your mind learns what’s important and what’s inconsequential, and finally you’re able to sleep through trash pickup. You still hear the sounds; you just don’t consciously react to them. By contrast, if a dog whimpers or a child cries, you wake up instantly. It’s all due to the way your brain adjusts to auditory input.
So when you first get hearing aids, be patient with yourself. The best way to become acclimated to wearing hearing aids is to wear them (though the audiologists I spoke with said it’s okay to take small breaks). If after a week of consistent use you still find the stimulus overly disturbing—and you have a pair that a professional can adjust—talk to the professional about possibly easing you into your prescribed level. This may mean you won’t get as much clarity initially, but it may make the overall process less arduous.
Seek out communities for support and advocacy. If you’re new to hearing loss, some wonderful nonprofit groups can help keep you informed and offer support. The Hearing Loss Association of America, the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing, and the Center for Hearing and Communication are all great resources for keeping up on the latest laws and technologies, seeking medical advice, participating in advocacy, and finding community. The Hearing Loss Association of America also has a handy OTC hearing-aid shopping checklist to help get you started.
Over-the-counter hearing aids are designed for cognitively healthy adults with mild to moderate hearing loss who are able to clearly communicate feedback. (Someone with mild hearing loss is able to hear some normal-volume speech but is unable to discern what’s being said. Someone with moderate hearing loss can barely hear or cannot hear speech at a conversational volume.) Children, people with profound hearing loss, and those who are unable to express themselves or make medical decisions unaided should see a medical professional, since their needs will not be met by the kinds of devices represented in this guide.
Although working in person with an audiologist has its benefits, our survey of HLAA members reinforced the notion that many people are looking for alternative devices that they can purchase and set up from home. Frequently this preference emerges due to issues surrounding transportation, time commitment, and geographic location. If you cannot easily get yourself to and from a doctor’s office or audiology office, or if you don’t have many providers close to you, going the over-the-counter route is a great option.
Financial constraints were another common concern among our HLAA survey respondents. More than half (53%) reported that they had zero insurance coverage for hearing aids. Of those respondents with coverage, 32% said they were partly covered, and only 11% said they had insurance plans under which hearing aids were fully covered. (The remaining 4% said they were unsure what their plans covered.) The cost of prescription hearing aids varies from around $1,000 to $14,000 per pair; the most expensive pair of OTC hearing aids we tested cost $6,000, but the average price was closer to $850.
Finally, many members of the hearing-loss community and audiologists we spoke with expressed trepidation regarding a system wherein the person recommending a given hearing-aid benefits financially from the sale and also may participate in exclusive partnerships with manufacturers. If you would prefer to separate the medical office from the purchasing process, and if you are willing to possibly engage in some trial and error to find the best hearing aids for your needs, you are well suited to the over-the-counter approach.
For this guide, we focused on over-the-counter hearing-augmentation devices that are available directly online from manufacturers or via remote health-care websites. We looked at PSAPs, hearables, and consumer-direct hearing aids with varying degrees of sound enhancement or augmentation and priced from $95 to $6,500.
I know from years of testing headphones that no one earbud works for every listener. The same is true for hearing aids. Preference for attributes like rechargeable versus replaceable batteries, water resistance, and over-ear versus in-ear design are largely lifestyle dependent. However, our HLAA survey respondents broadly agreed that some features are essential:
Unfortunately, there is no one hearing device that’s affordable and durable and packed with every key feature—yet. Some limitations are due to availability. For example, we found only one device available over the counter that also offered telecoil capabilities. (Telecoil, T-coil, or induction loop systems essentially offer a means for hearing aids to receive a signal from a local broadcasting device, such as a theater’s audio, a public-transit PA system, or a specially equipped telephone.) Hearing assistance also has some technological limitations—like the fact that the smaller the device is, the tougher it is to maintain Bluetooth connectivity. As a result, we realized we had to search for several devices that fit different needs.
Hearing devices vary wildly in cost. We wanted to get a sense of what, if any, benefits you gain by spending more money. We knew we couldn’t test every single inexpensive PSAP available, so we sought out the highest-rated representatives in a few price ranges. Then, based on the knowledge we collected in our research and according to the criteria above, we called in 16 devices to test in our first round and an additional 11 sets in our second round.
Our testing process consisted of both objective and subjective testing, and each round of testing took several months to complete. For the objective testing, we focused on measuring each device’s maximum gain (how much it could amplify sounds) and its frequency response (what frequencies of sound the hearing aid boosted and by how much, and how the characteristics of different sound modes varied).
We were surprised to learn from our sources that, despite the detailed OTC hearing aid law and the fact that PSAPs and hearables have a legally limited amount of gain based on ANSI standards, there isn’t an FDA oversight board that tests the efficacy or safety of any hearing-augmentation device, including prescription hearing aids. The entire industry essentially polices itself by relying on doctors and wearers to flag deviations or return the things they buy. Because we know the potential risks of listening at too-loud volume levels, we wanted to find out whether any of the devices that we called in would fall outside the ANSI gain specifications.
Senior staff writer Brent Butterworth and I met with Linda Kozma-Spytek, senior research audiologist at the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University, to discuss what we might be able to reasonably measure. Brent used his GRAS Model 43AG ear/cheek simulator with a KB5000 simulated pinna, in conjunction with an Audiomatica Clio 12 audio analyzer and TrueRTA software, to analyze the frequency response and the gain of our test samples. We then compared these numbers to the ANSI PSAP or hearing-aid standards to check that they fell within guidelines.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that, in regard to gain, all of the devices we tested did indeed meet the standards for their category. This may be because we chose models that had good customer reviews or because the self-policing system works. Either way, it was encouraging data.
As for frequency response, all of the products boosted sound in the range most commonly required for hearing enhancement—generally around 2 kHz to 3 kHz for language comprehension—but the range of frequencies and the amount of boost in each frequency band differed. We had hoped to find some correlation between the frequency response characteristics and the opinions of our test panelists, but we couldn’t. Ultimately, the quality of the hearing test, the directionality of the hearing aids’ microphones, and the ability of the hearing aid to adapt to fine-tuning during the fitting process had more impact on our panelists’ opinions.
For our subjective testing, we relied on paid testers with varying degrees of hearing loss and dexterity and with varying amounts of hearing-aid experience and technological savvy. This was important because we knew that if one hearing device was liked by a diverse group of people, the chances were higher that others might find it helpful too.
Here’s a quick snapshot of our panelists from both rounds:
Each panelist tested the hearing aids for months. They spent an average of a week with each device to determine whether it was worthy of further exploration. Some hearing devices had tiny buttons or charging issues that were so frustrating in everyday use they were disqualified early on in the tests. Others got the ergonomics right and earned a longer trial for our panelists to better evaluate the sound amplification and adjustability.
Our panelists explored every facet of the process, from participating in remote audiology appointments to engaging with tech support. They installed nearly a dozen apps, took hearing tests, made phone calls, and (most important) lived their lives. They wore the hearing aids to Pilates, at work, and while caring for grandkids. One even wore hers to her wedding!
Every panelist reported back with extensive notes, ranking their favorites and indicating which hearing aid they would purchase with their own money.
Though I did examine each device and explore the apps for setup and tuning, I did not personally test the hearing aids, since I do not have any hearing loss. Quite simply, these devices were not made for me. My role was to facilitate the testing process, compare the testers’ notes, and compile the conclusions leading to our recommendations below.
These hearing aids offer multiple sound modes, Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and an intuitive app.
These hearing aids offer multiple sound modes, Bluetooth streaming capabilities, and an intuitive app. The 200 version adds the ability to transmit your voice when you take phone calls.
Who it’s for: This set is appropriate for first-time hearing-aid users and people who want some earbud-like functionality.
Why it’s great: If you’ve never used a hearing aid before and want a device that’s relatively affordable and packed with useful features, the Jabra Enhance Select 100 and Jabra Enhance Select 200 are both excellent choices. The combination of thorough, extended customer service and a long trial period makes either Enhance Select pair an ideal place to start if you’ve never used hearing aids before.
Our panelists loved how easy these sets of hearing aids were to set up, customize, and use. The situational sound modes (such as restaurant and outdoor modes) were actually helpful for reducing background noise while amplifying conversation (which was not the case with the cheaper devices we tested). The traditional, behind-the-ear design stays in place comfortably and is especially water resistant and dust resistant, with an IP68 rating.
Both the 100 and the 200 can play back sound from devices like smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth, but only the 200 has the ability to transmit your voice for full headset-style capabilities. (To make calls with the 100, you have to use the microphone in your phone.)
Each Enhance Select hearing aid consists of three elements: the body (which houses the electronics and sits behind the ear), the hearing element or dome (which sits in the ear canal), and the wire connecting the two. Even though the body rests behind the ears, our panelists were able to wear their glasses comfortably. But if you tend to find the amplified noise of your hair or glasses rubbing against a hearing aid to be distracting or annoying, you may want to consider the fully in-ear Eargo 6 instead. The 100 and 200 pairs each ship with several different lengths of wire and receiver dome sizes, the selection of which Jabra’s audiologist will assist you with during your initial appointment.
We tested the features of the original service plan, which Jabra now refers to as the Premium package. This plan includes a video orientation, three years of follow-up care and professional adjustments, plus three years of warranty and loss/damage protection. The Basic package costs $200 less but offers none of the orientation or after-care support, and only one year of warranty and loss/damage protection. We think the extra money for the Premium is well spent, as it ensures that you’ll be provided the support you need in case something goes awry.
The Enhance Select hearing aids are preset to your hearing profile based on an online hearing test that you complete at the time of purchase. Once you receive your pair, Jabra’s hearing professionals can fine-tune the sound during your remote appointments, or you can adjust it yourself on the go in the intuitive app. Any changes to the sound profile upload to the hearing aids wirelessly. Our panelists said it was simple to tweak the volume level, the balance of treble, midrange, and bass, or the sound mode themselves, since the process generally required only one or two taps in the app. They were also impressed with the customer service of the Premium package; on the initial call, Jabra reps walked them through the controls, the app, and even the settings specific to their mobile device.
The 100 and 200 both amplify voices well. Fiona said she was impressed that the 100 pair helped her to hear more clearly in what were previously her trickiest situations, including communicating with her partner from another room: “I found the noise reduction particularly helpful, as I get overwhelmed and distracted by background noise when wearing hearing aids. Noisy places did still get a bit overwhelming, but the restaurant mode really helped me narrow down to the people right in front of me.” Megan was similarly impressed, noting, “They were excellent for driving. I didn’t even have feedback when singing in the car.”
Jabra claims that the 200 set offers advanced amplification and noise reduction, but our panel didn’t notice much of a difference between the 100 and 200 in day-to-day performance. Of course, your results may vary based on your personal hearing abilities.
Fiona was very happy with her final fit, saying, “I usually experience pretty intense discomfort with receiver-in-the-ear styles, but something about the material and form factor of this particular receiver didn’t irritate my ear canals quite as much. The receiver dome size options were much more comprehensive than I’m used to, so I had an option for my borderline-pediatric-sized ear canals.”
Tom also was happy with his final fit, though he pointed out that the delicate wire that connects the receiver to the body of the hearing aid “can be a touch trickier to manipulate than the more rigid material of a sound tube, specifically for folks with dexterity concerns.” Though he was able to get the hang of the Enhance Select design, he initially preferred the more substantial grip of a sound tube.
The 100 and 200 both run on rechargeable, rather than disposable, batteries. How much battery life you get using your Jabra hearing aids will vary based on how many calls you take, how long you stream music, and so on. What we can say for certain is that all of our panelists were able to get a full day’s use on a single charge, and the in-case charging made it easy for them to get some extra battery power while they were out and about.
If you purchase the Premium package, the Jabra Enhance Select 100 costs $1,695 and the Jabra Enhance Select 200 costs $1,995 (with 12- to 36-month payment plans available); the price includes three years of access to follow-up care. The care team received consistent praise from our panelists. We like that, because access to tech support and audiologists can be a factor that facilitates long-term use; good tech support also can be helpful for people who are setting up the devices for loved ones who may be less technologically savvy. Jabra’s warranty spans three years, but there is a $195 deductible for loss or catastrophic damage. That’s still better than having to purchase a new pair at full price.
If you want to forgo support and are okay with a shorter warranty, the Basic package for the Enhance Select 100 is $1,495; for the Enhance Select 200, the Basic price is $1,795.
The biggest downside of high-tech hearing aids is that they require a mobile device to change the sound profiles or situational modes and to update the firmware. For folks on a budget or who are anti-smartphone, this requirement could be a dealbreaker. If that describes you, we recommend the less-app-dependent Tweak Enhance.
Because the Jabra hearing aids support streaming via Bluetooth, you have to connect each hearing aid to your device separately, which can be a little annoying to set up initially. Also, if you take too long to take both hearing aids out of the charging case, they may not pair up as a set, which means you’ll need to pop them back in and out of the case to reconnect them. This is a Bluetooth issue—many true wireless earbuds have a similar problem. Our panelists ultimately found that the easiest way to avoid connection issues was to remove both hearing aids from the case first and then put them in their ears.
Our panel also wished that the Enhance Select 200 could work for videoconferencing on more devices. Currently, MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad) hearing aids can pair only with select Mac computers with the M1 chip and all Mac computers with the M2 chip, which means folks with older Apple devices or Windows machines are out of luck.
Another flaw is the lack of bass reproduction for music. Both the 100 and 200 can stream music from your phone, but all of our panelists noted that the bass notes lacked the oomph that would come from a good set of headphones or earbuds. If this is a dealbreaker for you, consider the Jabra Enhance Plus instead.
The charging case is on the larger side—it’s bigger than a deck of cards, so it isn’t something that you can pop in a pocket and forget about. Because our panelists were able to use the 100 and 200 for a full day without recharging, the size of the charging case wasn’t a dealbreaker for us. If it is for you, consider the more diminutive (and expensive) Eargo 6 or the less feature-rich Sony CRE-C10.
Unfortunately, these Jabra hearing aids cannot be adjusted by the wearer’s personal audiologist; you have to use Jabra’s system. (This was true of all the remote- and teleheath-based hearing aids we tested.) And none of the over-the-counter devices we evaluated had telecoil capabilities, either. We hope that future devices will offer both.
Our original testers still love the Enhance Select hearing aids after a year of use. Fiona told us that, despite being what her audiologist describes as “belligerently noncompliant,” she still uses her Jabra pair three to four times as much as she did her old prescription hearing aids—specifically in situations where she anticipates problems, “like travel or conferences.”
Some readers have given us feedback that the initial appointment to set up the device may be a week or so out from the day you call, especially if you have limited availability. This can be a bummer if you’re hoping to get going the same day.
These tiny hearing aids sit fully inside the ears, so they’re nearly invisible and don’t interfere with glasses. However, they don’t stream calls or music.
Who it’s for: This small set is a good choice for people who dislike hearing aids that drape behind the ear or folks who are very physically active.
Why it’s great: The Eargo 6 is a diminutive set of hearing aids; they sit in each ear canal without obstructing it. This unique design may be especially appealing to people who dislike the feeling or look of traditional hearing aids, which have a sound tube or wire that drapes over the ear. (Eargo has released an updated version, logically called the Eargo 7, which we discuss below.)
The Eargo 6 provides situational sound profiles that you can activate by tapping the earpiece or toggling settings in the app. The IPX7 waterproof rating means the Eargo 6 can handle sweat and physically active lifestyles, even if you dunk your head into water.
However, the Eargo 6’s Bluetooth connectivity is only for adjusting settings; this pair cannot stream music or calls, so if you want those things, you’ll have to rely on headphones or your device’s built-in speakers.
If you’ve already seen an audiologist and you have your audiogram, you can upload that data to the Eargo 6 as a baseline when you order your pair. Or you can wait until the Eargo 6 set arrives and use the hearing aids to take a hearing test in conjunction with the app. Whichever method you choose, Eargo’s audiologists will help you with setup, fit, and adjustments. They’ll also talk you through cleaning your ears and the device.
Tom was impressed with the amount of education and support that the Eargo team provided to new owners: “The app was basic and easy to use, so I didn’t have a lot of questions. But whenever I did, there was usually a video tutorial on the site to walk me through it. Or I could just text, and someone was there to help.” Eargo offers unlimited lifetime access to its support team and unlimited adjustments by hearing professionals. Eargo says that “lifetime” isn’t capped at a set number of years—for as long as you are using the device, the company will still help.
If you have tried behind-the-ear hearing aids before and hated the way they amplify every swish of your hair or adjustment of your glasses, the Eargo 6 set is worth considering. Each hearing aid is about the size of a multivitamin and outfitted with soft silicone domes that look like two layered rows of clear, perforated flower petals. These petals hold each earpiece, as if floating, in the center of the ear canal. Because the design is more recessed into the ear, the microphones are less prone to annoyingly amplified bumps or brushes.
Unlike other in-ear hearing aids, which completely obstruct the ear canal, the Eargo 6 allows in the natural sound of the world around you while boosting the necessary frequency ranges according to your hearing profile. This pair also allows in more airflow, which was a big deal for testers like Tom who have used hearing aids in the past. Tom regularly attends Pilates classes and was thrilled with the stability and breathability of the Eargo 6 set, saying, “They don't itch and scratch like the hearing aids that use tubes or the ones that go further in your ear canal. With other hearing aids, you get irritation after working out or when moisture gets in there. With the Eargo 6, that didn’t happen. Initially I was worried about the size and shape. I thought they’d fall out, but no! They stayed in place no matter what I was doing. This is a phenomenal piece of technology.”
Another benefit of the Eargo 6 design is that the hearing aids are less prone to feedback. Our panelists were able to hold their mobile phones (or landline handsets) up to their ears with no squealing or whistling. They were also able to wear over-ear headphones and the hearing aids simultaneously, which is really unusual.
Kathy was pleased with the way the Eargo 6’s limiters reduced wind noise in Chicago. A lot of the cheaper PSAPs Kathy tested were overwhelmed by even a light breeze, blasting her with gusty noise the moment she stepped outside. But Kathy said the Eargo 6 pair “cut wind noise quickly.” She also found that the situational sound profiles enabled her to hear speech clearly, without too much disruption, when she attended family gatherings or when her grandkids put on music.
The Eargo 6 hearing aids use rechargeable, not disposable, batteries. Eargo says the set’s battery life is around 16 hours, though volume levels, Bluetooth connectivity, and other factors can create some variability. All of our panelists were able to wear the Eargo 6 pair for a full day with no issues. The charging case is slender and circular, with a circumference similar to that of a 15-ounce can—it should easily fit in most jeans pockets. Eargo says that, with consistent unplugged use, the case provides around two additional days of power to the hearing aids.
In addition to allowing user-friendly sound-profile adjustments, the Eargo app can send helpful maintenance reminders, pinging wearers when it’s time to clean, change parts, and the like. This feature could be useful for folks who don’t want to rely on marking their calendars, but it also means you’ll get a handful of follow-up messages that can feel like marketing. You can turn off these reminders in the settings if you find them bothersome.
The Eargo 6 set comes with a 45-day return policy, which isn’t the longest we’ve seen. However, most of the audiologists we interviewed said that amount of time should be sufficient to get a grasp on whether a hearing aid will work for you.
In addition to a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects, Eargo offers a two-year limited warranty against loss and user damage: Essentially, if the damage is from misuse or you completely lose your hearing aids, Eargo will replace the hearing devices one time within the two-year warranty period for a deductible of $295 per ear and $295 for the charger. Not exactly inexpensive, but it’s far better than paying full price.
The Eargo 6 is usually priced just shy of $3,000. Though that price puts this pair in the upper cost range of the hearing aids we tested, half of our panelists said the Eargo 6 would be the hearing aid they’d buy.
As we mentioned in our discussion of the Jabra hearing aids, the biggest downside of high-tech hearing aids is that they require a mobile device to set up and adjust. For people on a budget or those who are anti-smartphone, this requirement could be a dealbreaker; as an alternative, we recommend the less-app-dependent Tweak Enhance.
Another flaw we noticed was that the Eargo app doesn’t display the hearing aids’ current volume setting. As a result, you have no way of knowing whether the volume is set at minimum, maximum, or in between. It would be nice to know what the current volume setting is before putting the hearing aids in. Plus, a visual indicator would make it easier to track how the volume setting changes over time—for example, if you started out at a volume level of 6 but a year later are regularly at 9, that could be an indicator that it’s time to get a check-up.
Although the Eargo 6 can accept an audiogram as a baseline for fitting, it cannot be adjusted later by the wearer’s personal audiologist; you have to use Eargo’s system. (This was true of all the remote- and teleheath-based hearing aids we tested.) Additionally, this pair lacked telecoil capabilities.
If you are sensitive to objects in your ears, such as earbuds or earplugs, this set may not be for you. Our panelist Megan found the feeling of the device seated fully inside her ear canal to be unnerving. She preferred the Jabra models’ behind-the-ear style instead.
This personal sound amplification device isn’t as lightweight or feature-packed as our hearing-aid picks, but it amplifies sound meaningfully and requires the smartphone app only for initial setup.
Who it’s for: This model is appropriate for people on a budget, those with limited smartphone access, and those who need hearing amplification for one ear or only occasionally.
Why it’s great: The Tweak Enhance is legally considered a personal sound amplification product (PSAP), but its design and technology are similar to those of traditional behind-the-ear hearing aids.
This is one of the few PSAPs that our panelists said they would purchase. Most similarly priced and cheaper PSAPs we tested had a too-broad or generic approach in their hearing augmentation, but the Tweak Enhance’s amplification and situational sound settings provided a meaningful boost, and the app offers useful hearing customization. It’s also one of the few useful sets that we tested that works for single-ear use. The Enhance is sold individually for $350 or as a pair for $700 on the Tweak website.
Although you must connect the Enhance to a smartphone app for the initial setup, you can make all other day-to-day adjustments on the device itself, a helpful feature for people who want hearing amplification that’s specific to their ears but don’t want to rely on a smartphone.
The Enhance has a behind-the-ear design, with the electronics housed in a slim, lightweight chassis, a sound tube that drapes over the ear, and a dome that sits in the ear canal. The Enhance ships with two pairs of 2B sound tubes and two sizes of domes. Most folks will be able to get a comfortable fit with the provided parts, but Tweak says other sizes are available if you need them; just call the customer service department at 888-382-9327.
The switches on each earpiece are large enough to use even if dexterity is a challenge; one of our panelists has a medical condition that causes muscle tremors, and they were able to use the switches without issue. Tom, who wears glasses, said he was able to wear both the PSAP and his specs comfortably.
This device has no hearing test built in, and you don’t get the assistance of a hearing specialist during setup (as you do with our hearing-aid picks), but our panelists said the included instruction booklet was clear and easy to follow—something that wasn’t a given with other, less-expensive PSAPs.
You have two ways to adjust the frequency-specific amplification levels of the Enhance in the app: You can slide virtual faders at specific frequency ranges to amplify what you need, or you can input your audiogram. Our panelists said that using the audiogram was the more successful approach because it removed a lot of the guesswork.
“Good god, this is a hell of a lot better than I remember hearing aids being. I would take these over my old ones any day.” That’s what panelist Tom—who has a myriad of expensive prescription hearing aids sitting in a drawer—said at the beginning of his Tweak Enhance test report. Though Tom would ultimately choose a more advanced pair of hearing aids for himself, he and other panelists said the Enhance is a fantastic option for people who need hearing help only once in a while or want a device that’s less technologically complicated.
Our panelists were surprised that a comparatively inexpensive device sounded so good. Tom said that, for him, the clarity of speech and the representation of musical instruments weren’t too far off from the results of the Eargo 6. The Enhance also excelled among the more affordable options when it came to the directionality of sounds and the usefulness of the situational presets. By contrast, some cheaper devices had presets that overcompensated and produced a muffled or overly loud and distracting experience. Our panel found the Enhance to be reliably useful, whether in a quiet home or a busy café.
The Enhance uses a rechargeable battery, and Tweak lists the battery life as 20 hours. But as with all battery-operated audio devices, the loudness, the frequency of Bluetooth connectivity, and other factors may mean you get more or less time before needing to charge. Our panelists were able to get a full day of use from a single charge with no problems. The Enhance powers up in a little dock that’s small enough to sit easily on a bedside table. A pocketable carrying case—a little smaller than a tin of Altoids—is included for portability, but it can’t charge the PSAP.
Tweak offers a minimal, 30-day return policy, so be sure to wear your Enhance regularly upon receipt to give yourself as much time as possible to adjust to the sound. The included warranty is only six months, but you can increase that to 18 months by purchasing an extension at the time you buy the Enhance; the extended warranty costs $75 for one ear or $150 for both. This extended warranty also includes one replacement of a lost or damaged device at a discounted rate of $200 per ear for two years from the date of purchase.
Because the Tweak Enhance is just for amplifying sounds around you, this PSAP can’t stream music or calls—but for some people, that’s acceptable or even preferable.
We’re disappointed that the Tweak Enhance isn’t water resistant. We very much wanted to recommend an affordable hearing device that is IP-rated or at least splash resistant, but none of the water-resistant models we tested under $1,000 sounded good enough that our panel would want to wear them day after day. Ultimately, we wanted to find the device that was the most likely to be helpful for the least amount of money possible, so in this case we prioritized sound quality over water resistance.
We also wish the Enhance had a hearing-test-based profile setup. Although it’s nice that the app enables wearers to pop in an audiogram, not everyone has access to hearing professionals. While the lack of guidance may make it slightly more likely that a wearer won’t receive an appropriate therapeutic level of amplification, we hope that anyone reading this guide will consider seeking hearing-professional or medical assistance so they can input an audiogram if they aren’t able to find acceptable settings on their own. Our survey showed that many people with hearing loss have received a hearing test at their doctor’s office but were reluctant to buy a device from an audiologist. For that reason, we decided to recommend the Tweak Enhance despite its lack of a self-administered test.
We are also less than enthusiastic about the barely acceptable 30-day return window and minimal warranty. Though the Enhance isn’t as expensive as some more advanced devices, we’ve seen better warranties on headphones that cost half as much. However, we were impressed with Tweak’s customer service. So we are more confident that this company, in comparison with the makers of less expensive alternatives, will be available to answer questions or repair devices.
This pair performs wonderfully as earbuds and okay as hearing aids. But the set has only a 10-hour battery life and is solely compatible with iOS devices.
Who it’s for: If you’ve ever wished that your true wireless earbuds could be tuned to accommodate for hearing loss and occasionally serve to augment your hearing, the Jabra Enhance Plus meets that need—but only for iOS users.
Why it’s great: For people who are averse to hearing aids that look like hearing aids, the earbud-like design of the Jabra Enhance Plus set may be appealing. And at $800, the Enhance Plus costs less than most hearing aids, so it may be a good first step for someone who is reluctant to invest heavily in hearing enhancement.
Similar in look to many true wireless earbuds, the Enhance Plus set was hands down the most popular hearing aid among our panelists for streaming music. That’s largely because the earpieces completely seal off your ear canal, allowing for better bass reproduction. However, that closed-ear design also means the Enhance Plus doesn’t allow in natural sounds. Instead, the earpieces use their embedded microphones to reproduce external sound via the drivers, as though you were streaming a live show of your surroundings through earbuds.
As a result, even though the Enhance Plus set is an actual hearing aid, it wasn’t as successful at hearing augmentation as our other picks, especially when representing directional nuance or when used in noisy environments.
Because the Enhance Plus pair wears like earbuds, the fitting process is as simple as choosing the correctly sized ear tips. Then the app guides you through setup, which involves a self-administered hearing test. Unfortunately, you must use the app’s hearing test, since there is currently no way to put in an audiogram.
In addition, for now, the Enhance Plus app is available only for iPhone and iPad use. That’s because, to improve connection stability, the Enhance Plus doesn’t use standard Bluetooth connections to stream music and calls. Instead, it uses Apple’s Made for iPhone internal hearing-aid settings (the app is available for iOS 14 or later, while hands-free calling requires an iPhone 11 or later and iOS 15.3 or later), which reportedly help to reduce connectivity gaps. So if you buy the Enhance Plus, keep in mind that you will not be able to connect it to, say, a Google Pixel phone or your work computer—only iOS devices; Jabra plans to release an Android version of the app in the future.
Listening to the world through the Enhance Plus wasn’t as enjoyable for our panelists as it was with our other picks. “This one kind of fell into the category of ‘headphone with amplification,’” said Fiona, who ranked the Enhance Plus’s augmentation abilities in the middle of the pack. It offers multiple sound settings, and the speech setting did improve clarity for Fiona in group conversations. But the Enhance Plus lost focus as the background noise increased, no matter which setting she used.
Fiona also noted that the Enhance Plus struggled to react appropriately to sudden, high-pitched sounds. “They oddly amplified any kind of short, sharp sound to a bit of a ridiculous degree. At one point, I had gotten fake nails on, and they picked up the tapping of my fingernails on my phone screen while texting. I asked my friend if my fingernails were being loud, and she said they sounded normal to her,” Fiona added.
That performance, combined with this set’s comparatively short battery life of 10 hours, makes the Enhance Plus best suited for short-term use. Think office, gym, or college settings where you mostly want earbud functionality but also need to hear conversations sometimes.
In addition, the earbud-style design may not be practical for all-day wearing. Dan found that his ears felt itchy after a particularly long day—this is a common issue with true wireless earbuds, so the result wasn’t surprising. Many people new to hearing aids may not want or require all-day wear, but if you do, we suggest one of our other picks instead.
This Jabra pair truly excels as a set of earbuds. All of our panelists agreed that music was the most enjoyable to stream through the Enhance Plus. Not only were bass notes represented well, but music also sounded as though it had been adjusted to their hearing profile. The small earpieces stay in place better than most true wireless earbuds, and our panelists said it was a breeze to take calls, change tracks, and the like, thanks to single-tap buttons that were easy to find and press. Everyone agreed that the Jabra app was well designed and the most user-friendly of all the device apps they tested.
The high-quality built-in microphones help you sound great to your callers, and because the set is IP52 rated for dust and water resistance, it can handle some light rain or sweat.
The charging case is easily pocketable, and it charges the hearing aids on the go. The hearing aids provide 10 hours of use per charge; you get an additional two full charges in the case. As with any audio device, real-world battery life varies depending on how many calls you take, how much music you stream, and how loudly you listen.
Jabra gives you a 45-day return window to try the Enhance Plus set without penalty. The one-year warranty covers you for manufacturing defects, but Jabra doesn’t offer a program for lost or damaged devices, so be sure to use yours carefully.
Although the 10-hour battery life per charge is great for earbuds, that duration may fall short for hearing aids.
We appreciate the hearing-test approach to tuning the earbuds, but we also wish that the Enhance Plus offered the option to input an audiogram for even more precise results.
We also would prefer better water resistance—Jabra is capable of producing some very durable earbuds, so we were hoping to see the same in the company’s hearing aids.
If you’re willing to pay a premium for true medical-grade hearing aids: Hear.com’s Horizon AX line is a good choice. Our panel was especially impressed by the extensive remote fitting and tuning process, the education resources, and the customer service. Hear.com was the only service that shipped out a home exam kit as part of the fitting process. In conjunction with the kit, patients have a video visit with a hearing-health professional, during which the professional conducts hearing tests, discusses your needs, and matches you with one of several Hear.com hearing aids. All of our panelists were matched with the Horizon Style 7AX, a behind-the-ear hearing aid.
When amplifying sounds, the Horizon Style 7AX performed very well. Our panelists said these hearing aids were on a par with the Eargo 6 and the Jabra Enhance Select 100 and 200 in clarity, situational effectiveness, and comfort. Unlike the Eargo 6, the Horizon Style 7AX streams both calls and music. It lacked bass in its music playback, but so did all of the similarly designed hearing aids we tested. Our panel was mixed on the reliability of the Bluetooth connectivity, which is to say that the 7AX mostly performed similarly to Bluetooth earbuds in that regard.
The portion of the Horizon Style 7AX that sits behind the ear is smaller and lighter than that of the Jabra Enhance Select 100 and 200, which is a benefit. The 7AX is IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, which means that you can fully submerge the hearing aids in a meter of water, and they will be just fine (though the company explicitly says on its site that you should not do this purposefully). Our panelists liked how customizable the 7AX was, but they were mixed on the app: One panelist found it to be slow to respond, which she said was annoying when she attempted to switch the directionality of the microphone array. Also notable is the slender, pocket-friendly charging case.
After an initial 45-day trial, the 7AX’s price includes five follow-up appointments with a hearing professional covering sound adjustments (and cleaning, if you go through an in-person provider). To access this benefit remotely, you need to get in touch with Hear.com to receive a telehealth tablet to complete your appointment. If you purchase from a local provider, you need to go back to that provider for your follow-up services. Hear.com told us that the Horizon Style 7AX comes with a three-year warranty, and loss and damage are also covered with a $295 deductible. Keep in mind that accessing financing or local audiologists will result in some information sharing, which we think is reasonable, but may be of concern to extremely privacy-minded folks. To opt out, contact Hear.com via this link. (Although the link is labeled for California residents only, Hear.com says that it will honor requests from any location.)
The main reason why we did not make the Horizon AX an official pick in this guide is that Hear.com’s pricing approach is more like that of some medical-grade hearing-aid companies, as opposed to over-the-counter options. The company does not publish exact models and pricing on its website. You have to call in for a phone consultation to begin the process, at which time the company will discuss models, pricing, and financing options. On its website, Hear.com provides only a range of possible monthly costs, saying that the amount you pay depends on the options you choose, how much of the cost you finance, and for how long. You can read more on the site about the financing terms, which are not unlike what you might expect to see when buying a car. Some over-the-counter shoppers may not be comfortable with this approach; our testers all preferred to see price options on the website. The model our panelists tested costs $3,250 per ear, or $6,500 per pair, which falls in the “luxury” category on the Hear.com pricing structure. When we presented that price to our panelists, they said that they’d choose the Jabra Enhance Select or Eargo devices instead. But if money isn’t a concern, you’ll likely get great service and a device that works very well.
If you want the Eargo experience with the latest technology: The Eargo 7 shares a lot of similarities with the older Eargo 6 but adds updated clarity and background-noise reduction. Our panelists were mixed on whether this revised model is worth the extra money. Young appreciated having the additional filtering capabilities, whereas Megan didn’t find the overall impact compelling enough to justify the added expense. She also was frustrated to find that adjusting or adding a new environment preset meant going through the entire setup process again. Overall, the Eargo 7 is a great choice if you prefer more customization options and have the means, but we’ve concluded that the upgrade isn’t absolutely necessary.
If you want a pair that fits like earbuds, but you don’t need the ability to stream audio: The Sony CRE-C10 was a favorite among our latest group of panelists, especially those who didn’t prioritize streaming audio from a phone or other wireless device. The CRE-C10 set comes with a carrying case that is small enough to be pocketable. You complete setup via a phone app that is available for both iPhone and Android; our panel found the hearing-test process to be elegantly designed and easy to navigate. All of our testers liked the CRE-C10’s fit, particularly Fiona, who said that the CRE-C10 was the most comfortable pair she had ever tried “by miles” and that she frequently forgot she was wearing them.
Both Tom and Young said that the sound quality was on a par with that of our (more expensive) picks. Tom loved the CRE-C10’s sound, saying that the pair offered the “most natural reproduction of voices.” To him, “other hearing aids make people sound like robots,” which the CRE-C10 avoided. Fiona’s audio experience was less successful: Though she could hear the world around her clearly, she said that something was “slightly off,” as though she were “at the end of a tunnel.” However, she quickly added that this was an aspect she could forgive because of the CRE-C10’s comfortable fit.
The CRE-C10 set runs on replaceable size 10 batteries. This may be a positive to some people and a nuisance to others. Sony claims that a pair of batteries will last five to seven days under “normal usage,” but the company also recommends opening the set’s battery case when not in use to reduce draw. Though none of our panelists expressed difficulty changing the batteries, size 10 batteries are small, so people with significant dexterity or visual challenges may require assistance to make the swap. (Sony’s CRE-E10 pair uses rechargeable batteries and has Bluetooth streaming capabilities, but the fit of that pair was far less popular among our panel.)
Unlike the companies behind our top picks, Sony doesn’t provide any personalized or live support. And the setup process, though easy enough to complete, lacks an option to input an audiogram. Sony backs the CRE-C10 set with a 45-day return policy only if you purchase it through the Sony website. Beyond that, Sony covers the CRE-C10 with a one-year warranty that doesn’t include loss or damage.
If you’re willing to sacrifice features for affordability: The Zvox VoiceBud VB20 is worth considering if you are looking for a less expensive alternative to the Tweak Enhance or you prefer a device that uses disposable batteries. The amplification was quite good in our tests: Tom reported that in quiet situations, voices were clear, and he was able to carry on conversations at the gym, despite the din of clanging weights. The 60-day trial period is excellent, and the VB20 is backed by a one-year warranty.
However, the VB20 fell short of being a pick due to a few factors. First, the app lacks a visual representation of the volume level, which could be helpful for tracking hearing health. Second, although you can adjust the VB20’s amplification profile using frequency-range faders, it doesn’t provide a hearing test or an option to put in an audiogram. So finding a therapeutic level of amplification takes more experimentation (and patience). And while the dual-microphone array does help to reduce some background noise, the effect isn’t completely without distractions. People who struggle to tune out extraneous noises in their surroundings may have a tougher time with this pair than with some of the pricier models. Still, Tom said if he were on a strict budget, this is the pair he would buy.
The Mayo Clinic estimates that hearing aids last an average of five years, with the majority of manufacturers claiming lifespans that range from three to seven years. The life cycle of hearing aids can vary widely depending on how frequently they are used, how much physical abrasion and impact they endure, and how well they’re maintained.
The type of battery used in the hearing aid can also affect its lifespan. Rechargeable batteries eventually diminish in capacity and die. This is a problem caused by the physics of batteries that recharge. And it’s a problem that plagues true wireless earbuds, too—if the device isn’t designed in a way that enables the rechargeable battery to be repaired or refurbished, the device has a finite lifespan. Devices that use replaceable batteries don’t have that problem, but they come with their own downsides, including added cost over time, the inconvenience of carrying backup power, and a battery-swapping process that can be frustrating for people with dexterity challenges. Which option you choose ultimately becomes a matter of personal preference.
Many experts we spoke with recommend that, in addition to getting annual hearing checkups, people who use hearing aids reevaluate whether their hearing aid is still a good match every five years or so. This is an important step because hearing ability changes over time, and during those years technology may have advanced to better meet your needs. Of course, if your device is functioning well and you’re happy with the performance, there’s no need to change.
Jabra plans to replace the Enhance Select 200 with the logically named Enhance Select 300 sometime in early December. The Enhance Select 300 promises to be smaller, with improved environmental-sound and speech clarity. We will add more details when we have them, and we plan to test the new version as soon as possible.
We’ve tested 27 pairs of OTC hearing aids and considered many more. Below are the most recent models we tested and dismissed. You can read about previously dismissed competitors in this spreadsheet.
Audien Atom Pro: Our panel had an extreme dislike for the volume dial, which required a screwdriver.
Hearing Assist Stream and iHear Matrix: We’re discussing these two pairs together because they are nearly identical in design. In fact, they’re so close that, when we requested one pair to test, the company offered the other instead, telling us that the experience was the same. However, there is one glaring difference: The Matrix set costs $200 more. We inquired about that $200 discrepancy, and representatives told us that iHear plans to offer extra support. However, at this writing, we haven’t seen any additional service offerings, and at the time we checked, the iHear site featured a message that indicated the company was involved in some form of legal-action dispute. Regardless, we don’t recommend either set. Our panel found the manual extremely unhelpful in setup and the app lacking in customization capabilities. But worst of all, Tom discovered that these hearing aids have a “battery-saving” feature that turns them off when it’s too quiet for too long—in his case, when he spent some time reading a book. This is a huge safety hazard, as the hearing aids don’t turn back on in reaction to noise, so Tom would have had no idea if, for example, a smoke alarm had sounded, someone had knocked at the door, or someone had yelled his name.
HP Hearing Pro: This pair was a complete bust. The chassis of each piece is notably large, and one panelist struggled to keep the pair in their ears long enough to complete the setup process. For those panelists who could get a secure fit, the design wasn’t comfortable enough for long-term wear. Our panelists were also somewhat divided about whether the earbud-like design was visually appealing, but nobody said this was a set that they’d want to wear for hours daily.
Lexie B1 Powered by Bose: This pair was remarkably similar to the now-discontinued Bose Sound Control hearing aids. Fiona, who was a member of both of our testing panels, said she had to check her notes because she thought she was retesting a pair she’d already tried. The panel concluded that the directionality of sound was decent, but the performance in noisy situations was middle-of-the-road. The consensus: Of the Lexie hearing aids, the B2 is the better choice.
Lexie B2 Powered by Bose: Our panelists found the B2 to be comfortable to wear, and the amplification to be clearer and less tinny-sounding than that of similarly priced devices. The battery life was sufficient for a full day of use, and the charging case, though not pocketable in size, was easy enough to use and to keep in a small bag. However, the panelists found aspects of the app to be cumbersome or difficult to read, and the process of discovering appropriate settings took more trial and error than in the Jabra system. One panelist mentioned that she was startled when the B2 blasted her ears with the sound of her husband turning on a vacuum cleaner, so she wished that the B2 had more of a limiter. Despite those issues, everyone agreed that, for the price, the Lexie B2 would be a runner-up to the Jabra Enhance Select for those who like a behind-the-ear design.
Lucid Engage Rechargeable: Our testers described the sound as “acceptable” and the fit as “relatively secure,” but they found the size of the module behind the ear to be too large and noticeable for them to want to wear these regularly. Young, who specifically preferred low-profile hearing aids, found the design to be a nonstarter.
Lucid Fio: The fit was a hit, especially for those testers with smaller ears, like Fiona. She appreciated that the unobtrusive design limited the amount of friction noise she experienced (from hair, hats, and glasses brushing against the microphones). The rapid charging was a hit, too: The Fio set fully powers up within an hour. However, the listening experience was less seamless. During the initial setup, the default volume was loud, which Fiona found jarring and mildly painful. Additionally, to change the settings, you must have the hearing aids in the case. Our panel described the onerous process of listening, taking the hearing aid out, putting the hearing aid in the case, making a change on the app, putting the hearing aid back on, listening again, and repeating that pattern over and over for each ear. Even with all the putting in and taking out, they didn’t think they were able to dial in the sound perfectly.
The Fio set offers the option to input an audiogram, but this part of the app is finicky, and our testers found that the task was difficult to accomplish on a phone. Fiona commented that her audiogram ended up looking “more like a sine wave than any logical curve.” This OTC hearing aid also seems intended to be adjusted with the assistance of an audiologist, which could be seen as defeating the purpose of buying an over-the-counter option. Our panel noticed too that the packaging is tricky to open, which could be painful or difficult for people with arthritis or other dexterity challenges.
Sennheiser All-Day Clear: Though one panelist described the setup process as an “absolute pain” that took about two hours, our testers appreciated that Sennheiser uses speech rather than tones for the calibration. The end result was largely worth the effort, as testers said that the All-Day Clear set was one of the few hearing aid sets that didn’t amplify high-pitched sharp sounds (keyboard clicks, nails tapping, sleigh bells) to an annoying degree. Panelists also described the wind-noise reduction as exceptional.
This pair wasn’t without drawbacks, however. The All-Day Clear set was prone to occasional “annoying but not painful” feedback when the wearer was performing tasks near the ears, such as putting one’s hair into a ponytail or adjusting a hat. And testers said the sound that the hearing aids made when powering down was loud and alarming—or, as Fiona put it, “Think a quieter version of ‘This nuclear reactor is about to melt down.’”
Overall, our panel preferred the Jabra Enhance Select 200 and Lexie B2 for those who want a behind-the-ear style, especially considering the price. But they also said that the All-Day Clear pair could be worth considering for someone who is frequently outside in windy places, such as avid hikers or bikers.
Sennheiser Conversation Clear Plus: Unlike the All-Day Clear set, this pair from Sennheiser didn’t fare well with our panelists. The Conversation Clear Plus was universally disliked. Testers described the listening experience as “unhelpful,” “odd-sounding,” and “like listening through a paper towel tube.” Tom was the most colorful, adding, “These are garbage AirPod Pros. I’d rather use AirPod Pros, and I don’t like AirPod Pros.”
Sony CRE-E10: Our panel reported that the CRE-E10 performed just as well as the Sony CRE-C10 in hearing enhancement. Young appreciated how stable the CRE-E10 felt in his ear, saying that he thought there was no way it would fall out and get lost. However, the important difference between the two Sony models is the CRE-E10’s streaming capabilities, and unfortunately our panel experienced frequent connection issues, including drops, static, and unpairing. It’s a huge bummer, because we love that these hearing aids can work with both Apple and Android phones. If Sony irons out that issue, this pair could end up being one of our picks.
Soundwave Sontro: Though our panelists ultimately preferred other designs for one reason or another, the Soundwave Sontro is a solid one-step-up-from-basic set of hearing aids. The app provides a few amplification modes, but our testers found that they preferred the standard option most of the time, as the other modes made speech sound off (noise mode) or made the environmental sounds feel less rich and authentic (entertainment mode).
The hearing test is straightforward, and the setup process is quick. One panelist, who has a hearing imbalance between their left and right ears, appreciated that the Sontro’s hearing test flagged that difference and suggested they see an audiologist for further testing. For someone who has never had their hearing formally tested and may be unaware of such aspects of their hearing health, this seemingly small feature could prove meaningful. The Sontro set uses disposable batteries, and our panel said that the amount of time between changes was acceptable. Fiona particularly loved that the app displayed battery status, so she could leave the house for the day confident that she had enough power.
The Sontro has a few downsides. The buttons on the chassis behind the ear can be tricky to squeeze, the thicker receiver wires might be more noticeable than the thinner ones on the Jabra Enhance Select models, and this pair can’t take phone calls or stream audio. But if you want nearly no-frills traditional hearing aids and don’t mind spending a bit more for a better app, the Sontro set is a perfectly fine choice.
This article was edited by Adrienne Maxwell and Grant Clauser.
Brian Fligor, PhD, PASC, president and clinic director Tobias & Battite Hearing Wellness (Boston), co-founder, clinical strategic adviser at Lantos Technologies, past chair of the World Health Organization’s Make Listening Safe Taskforce, video interview, May 18, 2021
Kevin Franck, PhD, therapeutics engineer and audiologist, senior vice president of strategic marketing and new product planning at Frequency Therapeutics, video interview, June 18, 2021
Angela Shoup, PhD, past president, American Academy of Audiology, executive director, and professor, Callier Center for Communication Disorders, University of Texas at Dallas, video interview, July 28, 2021
Catherine Palmer, PhD, director of audiology at UPMC, professor in the departments of otolaryngology and communication science and disorders at University of Pittsburgh, past president, American Academy of Audiology, email interview, August 1, 2021
Lisa Vaughan, AuD, audiology program manager at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas, past president, American Academy of Audiology, video interview, July 27, 2021
Barbara Kelley, executive director, and Lise Hamlin, director of public policy, Hearing Loss Association of America, video interview, July 20, 2021
Linda Kozma-Spytek, research audiologist and technology consultant for the Hearing Loss Association of America, co-lead investigator on the Industry Consumer Alliance for Accessible Technology, a development project of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Technology Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center at Gallaudet University, video interview, August 2, 2021
CTA 2051-2017 (ANSI) Personal Sound Amplification Performance Criteria, American National Standards Institute, 2017
American National Standard Specification of Hearing Aid Characteristics, American National Standards Institute, June 5, 2020
Vinaya Manchaiah, PhD, MBA, AuD, MSc, BSc; Hansapani Rodrigo, PhD, MA, Consumer Ratings of the Most Desirable Hearing Aid Attributes, Journal of the American Academy of Audiology Volume 32, August 1, 2021
Lauren Dragan is a senior staff writer and has tested nearly 2,000 headphones for Wirecutter. She has a BA from Ithaca College in music performance and audio production. She’s been featured in Good Morning America, NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, and more. Additionally, she’s a voice actor whose work includes projects for Disney and Mattel.
Traditional hearing aids can be expensive and inconvenient. But lower-priced, over-the-counter hearing aids are coming soon.
Mild to moderate hearing loss affects adults of all ages. Here are the signs that you might be experiencing it—and how over-the-counter hearing aids can help.
If you received an FSA deadline extension until March 15th, we've got you covered with these FSA-eligible Wirecutter picks.
Once your hearing is gone, there’s no getting it back. Here’s when you should be wearing protection to save your ears.
Plastic Chair Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).